Combating My Deadly Job: DIY Sit/Stand Desk
I have worked in IT for about 10 years. A decade of just sitting at a desk is starting to accumulate and is killing me (no joke, this job is in no way good for my health). Today, I begin to fight back with the building of my DIY Sit/Stand Desk!
The Inspiration
There are many companies that offer convertible desks for sale. Some are complete desk units, while others are desktop products like what I built. For me, the biggest issue with these commercial products is their cost--all above $300 with some reaching into the $1,000 range! After seeing these desktop products, I knew I could come up with something myself and for a lot less money!
Keystone of the Design
The main part of this project was the lifting mechanism. I needed to be able to lift the desk up and bring it towards me at the same time. Divine inspiration kicked in, and I remembered seeing some coffee tables that had a lifting top. A quick search on amazon and I had a set of the brackets for $25! Fast-forward to the weekend, and the work could begin!
An Easy Workshop Project
With the brackets, I just had to measure the final height I wanted the top to be at, then cut some wood! My desk footprint is 28 inches wide and 19 inches deep, with a top of 30 inches wide and 21 inches deep. The whole desk is made from solid red oak, but could easily be built using a good quality plywood. I assembled the frame with large screws, attached the brackets, then the top with screws. This project took about 4 hours from start to finish. The bulk of the time was spent planing down the lumber to get it flat and smooth, then gluing up the desk top panel. Both steps would be avoided if you went with plywood or a pre-fab top.
Installation
Installation on the desk was a piece of cake. I used a 6 inch C-Clamp and clamped the sit/stand desk to the top of my existing office desk using the grommet hole where wires usually run.
Desk In Action!
Raised in the "standing" configuration. The desk is a comfortable height and plenty sturdy for hammering on the keyboard. Having the articulating monitor stand makes all the difference with this desk and allows me to get away with such a minimal design.
Closed up for the "sitting" configuration. There is plenty of room for my hands and using the keyboard and mouse under the desk. It probably looks closer than it really is.
Let me know if you have questions or if you plan to make one of your own. I'd love to see what you come up with!
Until next time,
@greenacrehome
What a great idea. I'm all for DYI projects and this fits in nicely. Just curious, what was the final cost, minus your labour?
I'll have to estimate the best I can, as I had most all the parts on-hand already. Note: you wouldn't use up all of the plywood listed below--some would be left over as scrap.
- Hinges - $25
- (4) 3" Stainless Screws - $1
- (20) 3/4" Stainless Screws - $3
- 1/2 Sheet of 3/4" plywood - $20
- 6" C Clamp - $5
Total Estimate: $54That's a real bargain. I like have left over pieces. They come in handy for other small projects. Thanks.
You are just too creative my friend. Love the background on your desktop. Upped
That's a really cool project, I have been thinking on building a folding down wall desk
Go for it! :)
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Wow, what an awesome project! Most of all I like the pictures. They explain the whole process without a trace of a doubt. And yes, that articulating dual monitor stand makes the whole setup look super neat.
You are a great DIY'er! Nice job. I ended up at the doctor for swelling in my ankles and feet for the first time, and guess what? It is all because of Steemit! Sitting at the computer for so long every day. I do have exercises that he told me to do every 15 minutes and compression stockings. And of course, getting up and walking around. The Doc told me to get one of these but I don't have the money for it. Good for you that you were able to make it!